Although the internal SSD of the PlayStation 5 is amazingly quick, 825GB of storage is only so much. Here's how to maintain the performance while adding your own M.2 NVMe SSD.
One of the most remarkable features of the PlayStation 5 is its SSD, which offers feats of speed and scope that consoles with hard drives just can't match. However, there is only 825GB total, of which 667GB may be used for games. That SSD can quickly fill up if you want to play a lot of demanding games. Fortunately, there is a workaround that doesn't need you to keep removing games to free up space.
With the appropriate drive in that slot, you can maintain the PS5's excellent performance and capabilities while greatly expanding the available storage. The expansion slot on the PS5 can accommodate M.2 NVMe SSDs. Although it's a very straightforward operation, some disassembly and standards checking are required.
1. Select the Proper SSD
To increase the storage on your PS5, you must use an M.2 SSD, but not just any M.2 SSD will do. For compatible drives, Sony specifies a few details. The M.2 SSD you choose must be quick enough to keep up with the internal SSD of the PS5. M.2 SSDs come in a variety of physical sizes and storage capacities. The conditions are:
- PCI-Express Gen4x4 supported M.2 NVMe SSD
- Socket 3 (Key M)
- Storage Size 250GB to 4TB
- Size 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110
- Up to 25mm wide
- 30, 40, 60, 80, or 110mm long
- Less than 11.25mm thick (less than 8mm from above the board, less than 2.45mm from below the board)
- Sequential read speed 5,500Mbps or faster
When looking for an SSD, the read speed is the figure that's easy to overlook because it's crucial for optimum performance. Many SSDs have read speeds between 3,000 and 5,000Mbps. An ADATA XPG Gammix S70 Blade was selected.
2. Get Your Gear Ready
You'll need to have a few items ready before you install the SSD. Obviously, make a flat work area clear. then obtain the following equipment:
- #1 Philips head screwdriver
- Tweezers
All done. More than that, you don't need any other equipment.
3. Put a Heatsink on the SSD
You can go to the following step if your SSD already has a heatsink attached to it. If it doesn't, get a heatsink that is appropriate for the size of your SSD and install it according to the manual that came with the drive or heatsink. The instructions may differ somewhat across models, but they shouldn't need anything more complicated than carefully pushing the SSD onto the heatsink after removing some glue from the thermal layer on the bottom of the heatsink.
4. Switch the PlayStation 5 off
Although it might seem apparent, you must manually turn the system off. The PS5 enters sleep mode simply by pushing the power button; removing the power line from that location will mess with the sleep state, and the console will chastise you for it the next time you switch it on. That is not a favorable circumstance for a fresh SSD.
- Select the Power symbol by pressing the PlayStation button on the controller.
- After selecting Power Off, wait until the console's lights have all turned off.
- Move the computer to your workspace after unplugging it.
5. Position the PlayStation 5
Place the PS5 flat on your desk with the ports facing you and the PlayStation logo facing down.
6. Take away the side panel
This is one of the most challenging steps in the procedure since removing that large, white panel requires some dexterity.
- Grip the lower-right and upper-left corners firmly.
- Pull up the lower-right corner carefully while using your right hand to push the panel to the left.
- Use the rest of your left hand to ease the panel to the left while using your left thumb to support the top of the panel for leverage. The panel should slide left and come off with only a moderate amount of force if you've discovered the right angle. If you can't get the panel to budge, try pushing at a different angle and varying how hard you pull up with your right hand.
No amount of upward effort other than the little amount required to raise the pins out of their slots will be able to remove the panel, which is held in place by sideways hook-like pins that click out to the left (and you might break the pins trying). Once you figure out how to make the panel slide left, practice some wiggle experiments.
7. Expansion Slot Cover must be removed
This is easy. Remove the lone screw that is keeping the rectangular cover in place towards the top of the open PS5 console (ignore all the other screws on the big cover to the left). Remove the expansion slot cover by lifting it up, then set the screw and cover to the side.
8. Dispatch the M.2 Screw
Remove the little screw that is lodged in the expansion slot's hole on the far right. Just take out the screw and set it aside. Till the subsequent step, leave the ring-shaped spacer in place.
9. Place the correct hole for the spacer
The tweezers are useful in this situation. Move the spacer from the expansion slot's rightmost hole to the one labeled with the appropriate SSD length. You could line it using your fingers, but given how little it is, this is probably simpler. The spacer is already in the proper location if your SSD is 110mm long.
10. Insert the Expansion Slot with the SSD
- Align the notch on the SSD with the slot on the left, the heatsink pointing up, and the connecting points facing left.
- The drive should fit firmly and point slightly upward when you gently press to the left.
- Put pressure on the drive's right edge to make the notch there fit against the spacer.
11. Protect the SSD
Put the M.2 screw into the spacer and SSD's right edge. The drive should be firmly flat in the expansion slot once it is fully screwed in.
12. Cover the Expansion Slot
The expansion slot cover should be replaced and secured with screws.
13. Replace the Side Panel
Although it's a little easier than taking the panel out, you might still need to fiddle with the panel's position until it snaps into place. On the PS5, position the panel slightly to the left of where it ought to be, then gently press it to the right. It ought should firmly snap back into the locked position if the angle is proper.
14. Format the SSD
Reconnect the PS5 to your TV and turn it back on at this point. It ought should identify the SSD when it starts up and prompt you to format it. Select "yes" (it will delete anything on the drive). The drive will be formatted to operate with your PS5 after a short while, and you can arrange the system to automatically install games to it. In order to confirm that your drive is faster than the 5,500Mbps Sony advises, the system will also conduct a speed test on it.
15. Start Playing!
Your PS5 is now configured with much more capacity, and if your drive satisfies all the requirements, it should operate at a speed comparable to the internal SSD that was previously present.
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